284: Chapter 731 My Experiences in Xuanzhou

Wu Yang listened, but the mockery in his eyes grew deeper, and his tone was cold and indifferent: "Wanling Ancient Sect? The five great overlords?"

He looked up at Yuan Chen, who stood calmly by his side, his confidence growing, and he sneered: "The so-called top powers and ten-thousand-year overlords of your Xuan Continent have quite the reputation."

But no matter how strong they were, could they be stronger than Yuan Chen?

In the face of absolute, invincible, supreme power, the so-called Sect heritage, top-tier powers, and ten-thousand-year prestige were nothing but a thin veil, a hollow illusion.

As his voice fell, Wu Yang did not give the other party any chance to beg for mercy or offer excuses. With a slight flick of his wrist, a sharp burst of spiritual power erupted instantly.

"Chi!"

A faint light flashed, crisp and decisive. The second Cultivator of the Douwang Realm stiffened, his eyes wide open, lingering with extreme fear and unwillingness. His head slowly drooped, his life force completely severed, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

From beginning to end, Yang Chi stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and indifferent, without the slightest intention of intervening.

Two Douwang Realm Cultivators, who could be considered formidable combat power on the outskirts of the Xuan Continent, were nothing before a top-tier expert from Canglan like Wu Yang. Opponents of this level were far from needing him to make a Move; Wu Yang alone was enough to easily crush and eliminate them all.

Yuan Chen swept a calm gaze over the two corpses on the ground, his expression unruffled, and he spoke in a flat tone: "Let's go, no need to linger here."

The three walked calmly, stepping directly over the fallen corpses, moving along the mountain path out of the Forbidden Ground of the canyon, and heading towards the open area outside Duanyun Cliff.

The closer they got to the outskirts, the more intense the clamor between heaven and earth became.

What came into view was a vast, bustling scene of a sea of people.

Within a thousand miles of airspace, countless flying ships were arranged in rows, blotting out the sky. The Dao flags of various forces fluttered in the wind, and colorful halos of battle qi intertwined, dazzling the eyes. On the ground, dense masses of Cultivators surged, with diverse attire and myriad auras, clearly from countless Sects, aristocratic families, and Imperial Dynasties, large and small, from the central region of the Xuan Continent.

What surprised Wu Yang and Yang Chi even more was that this temporarily gathered place for Cultivators had already formed a complete urban layout.

Shops lined the streets, stalls were connected, and Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Ores, and Talismans were dazzling. There were even floating restaurants and elegant tea houses specially for Cultivators to rest, eat, and discuss the Dao, all brightly lit and bustling with noise, resembling a top-tier city for Cultivators that had formed overnight.

Yang Chi scanned the bustling scene, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and then chuckled: "I didn't expect the gathering place for Xuan Continent Cultivators to be so lively. A Forbidden Ground battlefield that should have been solemn and strict has been turned into a noisy marketplace."

Wu Yang also nodded in agreement, his tone carrying a touch of cold mockery: "When profit is at the forefront, all laws are broken. The appearance of an Opportunity from another world is enough to affect the pattern of the entire Xuan Continent. Countless forces are flocking here, so naturally, they don't care about the majesty of a Forbidden Ground or the rules of a Sect. In the end, it's all for the sake of fighting over the opportunities and resources of the Canglan Realm."

Yuan Chen glanced casually at the noisy crowd around him and said calmly: "Let's find a place to sit down first, listen for news, and get a good understanding of the power structure of this Xuan Continent."

After all, Venerable Ling Yue only had one side of the story, which wasn't clear.

The three scanned the area and directly chose the most imposing three-story floating restaurant with the largest flow of people by the street. This building hovered in mid-air, with carved beams and painted rafters, and the halos of battle qi shields circulating. The people entering and leaving were all Cultivators with impressive auras, clearly the highest-grade resting place in this gathering area.

The three stepped into the restaurant. The interior was spacious and elegant, rich in Spiritual Qi. Countless Cultivators sat in groups of two or three, chatting and discussing the Dao in low voices, the atmosphere lively but not noisy.

The waiter, dressed in a uniform, had excellent judgment. Seeing that the three had extraordinary temperaments and impressive auras, he hurriedly stepped forward to respectfully guide them to an excellent seat by the window on the second floor.

After they sat down, the table was soon filled with various local delicacies of the Xuan Continent.

The ingredients on the plates were all Spiritual Meat from exotic beasts of the Xuan Continent that the two had never seen before. The meat was crystal clear with fine textures, carrying the essence of rich battle qi from heaven and earth. Taking a bite nourished the Meridians and tempered battle qi, completely different from the meals in Canglan, which were mainly based on Spiritual Plants, Spiritual Fruits, and ordinary Yao Beasts, possessing a unique heritage of its own.

Yang Chi picked up a piece of crystal-clear exotic beast Spiritual Meat, tasted it carefully for a moment, and slowly said: "The Xuan Continent has abundant battle qi from heaven and earth, and the exotic beasts bred here are uniquely endowed. The spiritual essence contained in their Physical Body far exceeds that of the Yao Beasts in Canglan."

Wu Yang tasted a mouthful casually, his tone indifferent: "Although the ingredients are good, that's all. A Foundation nurtured by relying on the advantages of heaven and earth is ultimately not as solid as one tempered by slaughter in desperate situations. It looks uniquely endowed, but in reality, their Heart-Nature tempering is far inferior to our Canglan Cultivators."

Yuan Chen raised his fingertips slightly, and an invisible force of rules spread quietly. A dense and meticulous sound-insulating Formation instantly enveloped the entire seat. The Formation was introverted and invisible, impossible for outsiders to detect. It could isolate the sounds inside and outside, and would not affect the three from listening to the idle chatter of surrounding customers, perfectly protecting their origins and conversations without worrying about being spied on.

"Listen while eating," Yuan Chen said calmly. "The flow of people here is mixed, and all forces are present. With news from all sides gathering, it is just right to use this to figure out the power structure of the Xuan Continent, the top experts, and their true plot against the Canglan Realm."

Wu Yang and Yang Chi nodded in response, eating leisurely while listening to the idle chatter and discussions of the surrounding customers.

Inside the restaurant, dozens of tables of Cultivators were each talking about their own affairs. All topics revolved around the passage between the two worlds, the Canglan Lower Realm, the division of forces, and the high-level game. Fragments of conversation intertwined and clearly reached the ears of the three.

Three Loose Cultivators in blue clothes at the next table were chatting in low voices while holding Spiritual Wine, their tones full of emotion and longing.

"To be honest, the opening of the passage between the two worlds this time is definitely the greatest Opportunity we have encountered in our lives! An otherworldly opening that is hard to come by in a hundred thousand years. The entire Canglan Realm has no top-tier experts sitting in charge, with resources everywhere and pure Spiritual Qi. It's simply a heaven-sent treasure land!"

"It's more than just a treasure land! It is rumored that the Canglan Realm has long-lasting spiritual power, suitable for enlightenment and precipitation, and there are countless ancient remains and Secret Realms. If one can cross the border and settle in, just occupying a territory would be enough for a lifetime!"

"It's a pity that the cake is too big for us little people to share. Now the five major forces of the central region are all gathered at Duanyun Cliff. All the rules and distribution plans are decided by the five major overlords. We Loose Cultivators can at most pick up some leftovers."

A few Cultivators from small and medium-sized Sects at another table were discussing the dangers of crossing the border with full of apprehension and anxiety.

"Picking up leftovers also requires having the life to take them! Don't just look at the tempting Opportunity and forget the dangers of crossing the border. It is rumored that the Canglan Realm is not without resistance. Previously, Lady Empress crossed the border alone and encountered obstruction from otherworldly Cultivators. It is said that the other party had strange methods and unfathomable heritage. Even the Empress could not crush them by force, which shows that Canglan is not a soft persimmon."

"It's all exaggeration! They are nothing more than frogs in a well, indigenous Cultivators with poor cultivation and backward methods, just surviving by relying on a small world. The five top forces working together, with all their elites dispatched, crushing Canglan is nothing more than a lift of a finger."

"No wonder the five Sect Masters have been discussing on the high platform and pulling back and forth. It turns out they were discussing the invasion plan and the details of the distribution of interests! In the end, they are all afraid that their own losses will be too great, allowing the other four to profit from the fisherman."

A more experienced Cultivator at a table not far away clearly knew more top-level secrets. His tone was steady as he slowly revealed the core structure of the Xuan Continent and the true background of the five major overlords, his voice not loud but every word clear.

"You only know that the five major forces govern the central region together, but you don't know that the gap between the five is huge. The one who led the passage between the two worlds this time and discovered the Canglan Realm first is the Qingxuan Taoist Sect. Sect Leader Ling Tianjiao is the only Empress in our central region of the Xuan Continent. She masters the supreme Wind Dao and is the number one person in the Cultivation World today!"

"The other four are not bad either, each with their own merits. Sect Master Su Wanling of the Wanling Ancient Sect controls ninety percent of the Spiritual Veins, Medicinal Pills, and Artifact resources of the Xuan Continent. He is good at healing, endurance, and consolidating Foundations, with the most enduring heritage. Monarch Lie Qingcang of the Lieyang Dynasty holds a million-strong iron army, unparalleled in slaughter, and his martial cultivation combat power is the best in the central region. Academy Master Kong Wenyuan of the Haoran Academy is proficient in literary pulse deduction, layout calculation, strategizing, and insight into human hearts. Pavilion Master Ye Wuchang of the Jiuyou Shadow Pavilion is good at stealth assassination, secret layout, and his concealment techniques are unparalleled in the world."

Someone asked hurriedly upon hearing this: "Then what are the general rules for the distribution plan this time? Are we Loose Cultivators qualified to cross the border and settle in?"

That old Cultivator chuckled, his tone carrying a touch of indifference: "How would I know that? But does it even need to be said? The top layer eats meat, the middle layer gnaws bones, and the bottom layer drinks soup."

"As for us Loose Cultivators and small and medium-sized forces, we can only wait until the five major main forces open up stable territory and clear out the resistance before we can enter in batches and pick up the remaining resources. Moreover, life and death are at our own risk after crossing the border. The five major forces will not be responsible for backing us up. If we encounter remaining experts from the other world or dangers in the Secret Realm, we must rely on our own abilities to survive."

A young Cultivator next to him listened with great excitement, his tone full of fanaticism: "Even so, it's enough! It's still better than the territory in our Xuan Continent where internal strife is serious! As long as I can cross the border, I can get rid of the bottom-level situation and fight for a great Opportunity! Even if I risk my life, it's worth it!"

"You are still too young." The old Cultivator shook his head and sighed, "The heritage of the Canglan Realm is unknown, and no one knows how many dangers and unknown experts are hidden inside. Previously, a few scattered Cultivators who tried to cross the border all lost contact and fell, and even their Divine Soul imprints completely dissipated, which shows that this world is by no means a good place."

"It's just that with such a huge Opportunity in front of us, wealth is sought in danger, and no one is willing to easily give up this once-in-ten-thousand-year fortune."

The countless fragmented discussions around, layered and multi-faceted, completely laid out the Xuan Continent's pattern, the background of the five major overlords, the plot to cross the border, the rules of distribution, the situation of Loose Cultivators, and the dangers of the Lower Realm. The idle chatter of over a thousand words allowed Yuan Chen and the other two to completely understand the current core situation of the Xuan Continent.

After hearing these words, the wine glass in Wu Yang's hand was suddenly gripped tightly, coldness surged in his eyes, and his tone was full of anger and icy mockery: "A good Xuan Continent Great World, a good five top forces!"

"Coveting the territory and resources of my Canglan, attempting to invade and plunder? Let's see if you have the ability!"

Yang Chi's face was also cold, his heart filled with burning rage as he spoke in a low, angry voice: "My Canglan Domain seeks no conflict with the world and cultivates in peace; we have never actively provoked forces from outside. These Xuan Continent Cultivators, sitting upon the profound heritage of a Great World, are yet insatiably greedy. Truly despicable and shameless!"

"The Opportunity they speak of is, in essence, plunder and occupation! Their so-called pioneering and expansion is nothing but naked invasion and slaughter!"

The two grew angrier the more they listened, every word of their rebuke ringing with conviction, their hearts filled with a righteous fury to protect Canglan Domain. Fortunately, Yuan Chen had set up a sound-isolation Formation in advance, so their angry conversation was completely cut off and did not leak out at all; the Xuan Continent Cultivators downstairs remained oblivious, still enthusiastically discussing how to carve up Canglan Domain.

Yuan Chen's expression remained calm and unhurried. He listened quietly to the surrounding chatter, memorizing the names, abilities, power characteristics, Central Region landscape, and cross-realm plans of the five major overlords.

Ling Tianjiao, Su Wanling, Lie Qingcang, Kong Wenyuan, Ye Wuchang.

The three of them ate while continuing to listen to various pieces of news, constantly filling in their understanding of Xuan Continent, from the power struggles of the top-tier factions to the dependency of the middle-tier ones, and finally to the ambitions and anxieties of the low-level Loose Cultivators—they had gained a general understanding of every aspect.

Just as the three were quietly gathering information and perfecting their intelligence, a series of neat and sharp sounds of breaking through the air suddenly came from downstairs.

A team of Cultivators dressed in uniform dark blue Taoist robes, with strong and condensed auras, flew in Formation to the entrance of the restaurant. Their steps were orderly, their presence sharp, and they were surrounded by a rich halo of Dou Qi from the Wanling Ancient Sect, making them highly recognizable.

This team consisted of over twenty people, every one of them having a cultivation base firmly above the Dou Wang realm. The leader at the front had an even deeper aura and heavier Dou Qi; he was clearly a Dou Huang expert, with a cold, stern expression and sharp eyes, carrying the majesty of a Sect law enforcer.

After landing, the group marched directly into the restaurant, their cold gazes scanning the entire hall, searching for auras and locking onto the strangers.

The previously noisy Cultivators inside the restaurant instantly fell silent. No one dared to say another word, and looks of wariness appeared in their eyes. The Wanling Ancient Sect was one of the five top powers in the Central Region, and their Sect law enforcement team held immense authority; ordinary Cultivators dared not provoke them.

The Dou Huang expert leading the team scanned the first-floor hall with a cold gaze, then raised his eyes to the private booths on the second floor. His gaze swept quickly before finally locking onto Yuan Chen and the other two by the window. His eyes suddenly darkened, and he shouted sharply, his tone firm and cold:

"It's them!"

"The three who just killed our Sect's guarding Disciples in the Forbidden Ground of the canyon are all here!"

"Everyone, listen to my orders! Strike immediately and take these three down! Capture them alive and bring them back to be dealt with personally by the Sect Master!"

In the second-floor booth, the wind stilled and the Qi ceased.

Over twenty law enforcement Disciples of the Wanling Ancient Sect formed a perimeter, cyan Dou Qi rising into the sky like rolling wolf smoke. The heavy pressure of the Dou Wang realm pressed down layer upon layer, locking the entire floating restaurant tight. The Dou Huang captain leading them had Dou Qi armor condensed around his body, and fierce winds howled. His eyes were as ferocious as an eagle's, staring fixedly at the three sitting by the window, filled with killing intent.

Downstairs, on the first floor, the corridors, and by the windows, countless Xuan Continent Cultivators who had been eating, drinking, or chatting stopped their chopsticks and looked over.

The originally noisy and bustling restaurant was now left with only suppressed breathing and whispered murmurs of unease. Countless gazes focused on the three, all full of contempt, pity, and anticipation of their destruction.

"They are truly tired of living."

A middle-aged Cultivator wearing a Sect brocade robe shook his head and sneered, his tone extremely certain, "The five major Sect bigwigs are gathered at Duanyun Cliff today. As one of the five overlords, the Wanling Ancient Sect is just in time to establish their prestige and stabilize the scene. These three Loose Cultivators just had to walk straight into the gun barrel. Killing the Sect's guarding Disciples—this is no longer recklessness; this is pure suicide."

"Surrendering is their only chance of survival. If they dare to resist, they will surely be smashed to pieces on the spot today."

Such sentiments echoed one after another, ringing through every corner of the restaurant.

In the eyes of all the native Xuan Continent Cultivators, this confrontation had no suspense from the very beginning. The Wanling Ancient Sect had sat in the Central Region for ten thousand years, its prestige deeply rooted, and the dignity of a top-tier power could not be desecrated. A mere three Loose Cultivators had no possibility of turning the tables.

However, among the crowd, a few cautious and experienced Cultivators had their gazes freeze slightly, noticing something wrong.

"Wait... have you noticed that the clothing and aura of these three are completely different from those of us in the Xuan Continent?"

An old white-haired Cultivator squinted his eyes, carefully observing the three on the second floor, and whispered in confusion, "We Xuan Continent Cultivators spend years tempering our Dou Qi, and our auras are fierce and domineering, with sharp edges exposed. Our clothing styles are either Sect Taoist robes, imperial armor, or aristocratic brocades, carrying their own hierarchical rules. But these three are dressed simply and elegantly, their auras relaxed and restrained—neither fierce nor aggressive—completely devoid of the characteristics of Dou Qi Cultivators."

The voice of doubt was instantly drowned out by the overwhelming mockery.

The vast majority of Cultivators in the hall remained certain that the three would undoubtedly die, quietly waiting for the law enforcement team to strike and kill them, to watch a farce of self-destruction.

Downstairs, the Dou Huang law enforcement captain, seeing the three sitting unmoved and ignoring everything, felt the anger in his heart burn completely out of control.

He had been in charge of Sect law enforcement for many years and had always been majestic, with no one daring to disobey him wherever he went. Today, however, he had been repeatedly ignored and provoked by three juniors from outside the territory, causing him to lose all face.

"Stubborn and ignorant of life and death!"

The Dou Huang captain shouted sharply, his voice shaking the entire restaurant. Cyan Dou Qi surged violently, and the void around him trembled slightly, "This general will give one last warning! Bind yourselves immediately and follow me back to the Sect to confess your crimes! Otherwise, you will be killed without mercy!"

In the second-floor booth, Wu Yang lazily raised his eyes, a sharp, ferocious smirk curling the corners of his mouth.

He was too lazy to even stand up, remaining seated steadily in his chair. His elbows rested lightly on the edge of the table, and his fingertips lifted casually, landing on the simple and unadorned Spiritual Power battle shovel on the table.

The delicacies on the table had not yet cooled, the spiritual wine was still warm, and the atmosphere was leisurely, yet killing intent suddenly erupted.

"Want to take me?"

Wu Yang's tone was languid and arrogant, carrying extreme contempt, "Just with you trash? You think you're worthy?"

Before the words faded, he flicked his fingertips. He did not grasp the handle, nor did he exert force; he merely injected a wisp of extremely pure Spiritual Qi into the battle shovel.

"Hum—!"

A low, deep, and resonant sound of Spiritual Qi vibrating suddenly exploded.

This power was gentle yet majestic, condensed and pure, carrying a heavy Dao Rhyme that crushed those of the same level, instantly sweeping across the entire restaurant!

The bowls and chopsticks on the table did not Move, not a drop of spiritual wine spilled, yet the cyan Dou Qi rushing in from the sky, the pressure of over twenty Dou Wangs, and the majestic aura of the Dou Huang all froze, shattered, and dissipated at this moment!

Wu Yang remained seated, his figure not moving an inch, merely shifting his Spiritual Qi slightly.

In an instant, the Dou Qi battle Formation condensed by the twenty-plus Wanling Ancient Sect law enforcement Disciples shattered, and their Protective Aura exploded inch by inch. Everyone's body stiffened violently, their Meridians were shaken by the invisible Spiritual Qi, their blood surged uncontrollably, as if they had been heavily struck by a ten-thousand-ton mountain!

"Bang, bang, bang—!"

A continuous series of heavy thuds sounded as they hit the ground.

More than a dozen Dou Wang Disciples with weaker cultivation bases couldn't even scream; their bodies collapsed directly to the ground, their Meridians snapped, their Dou Qi dissipated, and they passed out on the spot, completely losing their ability to fight.

The remaining few Core Disciples with solid cultivation bases barely managed to stabilize their bodies, but they were also pale, their blood surging, their minds shaken, staring fixedly at Wu Yang on the second floor, their eyes filled with extreme terror.

One Move.

Just a slight movement of his fingertips, a leak of Spiritual Qi, with no Move used, no slaughter performed, yet he had defeated the battle Formation composed of over twenty Dou Wang realm Cultivators!

The whole place was dead silent!

All the pointing and mocking laughter stopped abruptly.

The Dou Huang captain downstairs had his pupils shrink, his face twitching violently, filled with disbelief, a monstrous wave rising in his heart!

He stared fixedly at the unmoved Wu Yang, a fishy sweetness surging in his throat. The Spiritual Qi backlash from the collision exploded, causing even him, a Dou Huang expert, to be unable to withstand it!

"Puff—!"

A mouthful of scalding blood sprayed out directly!

The Dou Huang captain stumbled back three steps, his body trembling uncontrollably, his Dou Qi chaotic and wavering, his Protective Aura completely shattered, his face instantly turning pale as paper.

He looked in horror at the leisurely and arrogant figure on the second floor, finally realizing what kind of existence he had provoked.

But the humiliation of losing all face and seeing his subordinates all collapse made him completely red-eyed. Even though he was heavily injured by the backlash, he still gritted his teeth and roared, his words fierce but his heart trembling:

"How dare you commit murder in the territory of my Wanling Ancient Sect! You are courting death!!"

"Do you know the extent of the Wanling Ancient Sect's heritage? All our Sect Elders are here at Duanyun Cliff for the meeting! Today you injured my Sect's Disciples and my law enforcement team—you won't be able to escape!!"

While roaring, he trembled and raised his hand, fiercely crushing a message Talisman!

"Crack!"

The moment the Talisman shattered, a brilliant cyan Spiritual light shot into the sky, piercing through the restaurant's protective barrier, heading straight for the firmament, carrying an extremely urgent distress signal that swept across the entire airspace of Duanyun Cliff!

"Sect Elders! Come to our aid immediately!!"

"Our Sect's law enforcement team has been attacked!!!"

The entire floating restaurant erupted into chaos!

The dead silence was completely broken, replaced by sky-filling, terrified whispers. Everyone's expression changed drastically; there was no longer any contempt or mockery.

"My god! What kind of method is this?!"

"Sitting unmoved, merely by releasing his aura, he shattered a Dou Wang battle Formation and heavily injured a Dou Huang expert?!"

"With this level of combat power, he must be at least a top-tier expert at the Dou Sheng level!"

"No wonder they were calm and composed the whole time; it turns out they really have the strength to crush everything! We all misjudged them just now!"

Countless Cultivators trembled, their gazes locked onto the three on the second floor, the previous contempt in their hearts turning entirely into extreme wariness and suspicion.

Just as the crowd was in turmoil and the situation was changing rapidly, Yuan Chen, who had been sitting lazily and watching silently, finally raised his eyes slowly.

His gaze pierced through the floors and the crowd, looking toward the distant horizon, his tone flat and waveless as he spoke softly:

"Two with slightly stronger auras have arrived."

"They should be Elders of the Wanling Ancient Sect. Wu Yang, Yang Chi, you two go out and receive them, stretch your muscles a bit."